The reasons for the postponement of talks between Iran and the US may because of disagreements between Washington and Tehran over details regarding uranium enrichment, the disposal of Iran’s uranium stockpile, and monitoring mechanisms. Ahmad Abdel Rahmen writes.

The Omani Foreign Ministry announced the postponement of the fourth round of Iran-US talks for logistical reasons.

Washington and Tehran held negotiations last month regarding an agreement to curb Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Three rounds of talks have been held, and a fourth round is about to be held. According to Omani Foreign Minister Badr al- Busaidi, the mediator of the indirect negotiations between Iran and the US, the fourth round of negotiations, was postponed for logistical and technical reasons related to the formation of technical delegations to discuss enrichment and sanctions issues.

The third round was held at the political level between the American and Iranian delegations and at the technical level between experts to discuss details related to the nuclear programme. The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, announced the positive conclusion of these talks.

The first and most significant reason was a powerful explosion followed by a massive fire at the Iranian port of Rajaee near Bandar Abbas, that killed 70 people and injured 1,200 others. The explosion, which began in a group of containers on the port's quayside storing solid fuel used in ballistic missiles, caused extensive damage and disrupted port operations. The explosions resulted in economic losses estimated at approximately USD 4 billion, equivalent to two percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

The port is Iran's main maritime hub, handling approximately 60 percent of maritime trade and more than 53 percent of total cargo loading and unloading operations. It is a vital artery for commercial infrastructure, given that 70 percent of Iran's imports and 30 percent of its non-oil exports pass through national ports.

The second event is the US Treasury Department's imposition of sanctions against individuals and entities in Iran, as well as a network based in China and Iran. They have allegedly been responsible for facilitating the purchase of sodium perchlorate and dioctyl sebacate from China to Iran. These chemicals are used in solid-fuel rocket engines and ballistic missile manufacturing. However, Iran condemned the new US sanctions, describing them as “duplicity” and “contradiction” as they were imposed by the US while the talks were ongoing.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also considered Washington's sanctions against Iran a violation of the basic principles and rules of international law. The spokesman said: "The sanctions announced in the past few days, under various pretexts, against Iranian and non- Iranian individuals and companies, are clear evidence of US decision-makers' insistence on violating the law and interests of other countries, as well as their efforts to disrupt friendly and legal relations between developing countries through economic terrorism."

The latest event was Iran's accusation of the US’s “contradictory behaviour” and its provocative statements, after Washington warned Tehran of the consequences of its support for the Houthis in Yemen and imposed new oil-related sanctions on it amid the nuclear talks. Therefore, the postponement of the talks, which had proceeded smoothly and flexibly over the past weeks, suggests that the reason may be from the Iranian side.

The explosion at Bandar Abbas port, which occurred on the same day as the third round of talks between Washington and Iran, was about technical details related to the nuclear program. The explosion involved solid materials related to ballistic missiles. It may have been the result of sabotage. The idea would be to send a message to Iran about its defensive and missile capabilities.

Tehran considered these capabilities a red line that it would not negotiate, as well as rejecting the zero-enrichment plan proposed by the Trump administration.

Conclusion

The postponement may be for several reasons. The rate of uranium enrichment, the disposal of enriched uranium stockpiles, and how Iran’s actions are to be verified and monitored, and what oversight mechanisms are to be employed are all points of contention.

Despite animosity between Washington and Tehran, the two sides' talks have started to discuss serious issues.